Paper-conveying mechanism



J. D. McCRA'CKEN. PAPER CONVEYING- MECHANISM. APPL ICATION FILED JUNE 9.1921.

Patented July 25, 192 2.

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JAMES J). MCCRACKEN, O1 CINCINNATI, 01-110, ASS-IGNOR TO THE UNITEDSTATES PLAYING CARD COMPANY, 036 NORWOOD, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

PAPER-CONVEYING MECHANISM.

- T0 aZ-Z whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, J Aims D. McCnAcKEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and Stateof Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Paper-ConveyingMephanism, of which the following specification is a full disclosure.

This invention relates to conveyor mecha-- nism .of the link belt typefor suspendingly conveying sheetsof paper in varying quantities.frictionally gripped by self-gripp ng clamps constituting elements ofthe link belt. a

of the invention is to provide a An object Y paper clampin-gandsupporting means which can be attached to and made a part of an endlesslink belt conveyor. 7

. Another object is to provide a gravlty actu'ated clamping means, theclamping action of the same being furthered through the medium of theweight and face friction of the suspended article or articles.

An additional object is to provlde a clamping means, detachably fastenedto a single link, thus allowing for the removal or replacement ofthesaid means without detaching the link from its companlon links.

Another object is to provide a clamp and carrier link designed tocooperate with guides suitably arranged to steady the clamp and carrierin its movement of translation and thus adapt it for supporting heavyloads.

Other objects and certain advantages will be set forth in thedescription of the drawings, forming a part of this specification, andreference is made to said drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my unit clamp and carrier link.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan of the detached housing.

The numeral 1 designates a link of the detachable type, designed to forma part of an endless link belt conveyor, other links of which are shownin dot-and-dash lines at 2, Figs. 1 and 2. Any number of the hereindescribed carrier units may be made to form a part of the endlessconveyor chain, conformable tov installation requirements. Noillustration of the endless belt and means of operating the same ismade, inasmuch as the paper sheets or other material. swinging gravityactuated dog 20 is pivoted dius line Specification of Letters Intent. Pai gmted July 25, 1922. Application filed June 9, 1921. SerialNc.476,332.

signed to .carry clamping means automatically operable to hold a varyingquantity or predetermined number of sheets of paper in suspendedposition. The housing 10 has a downwardly directed pl ate-likeprojection, or stationary jaw 11, one face 12 of which coacts with aswinging dog or jaw, 20, to clamp The as at '21, between the cars 22, ofthe rearwardlygand downwardly extending body portion of the housing 10.The outer curved surface 23, of the dog 20, is eccentric to the pivot21, as indicated by dot-and-dash ra- The housing 10 is formed with stops25,26, respectively limiting the upward and downward movements of theswinging dog 20, the same having suitably shaped abutments 25 and 26 forengagement with said stops.

Attached to the vertical side walls 30, of the housing 10, and extendinghorizontally and at right angles to the conveyor travel, are guiderollers 31, adapted to engage and rest upon suitable guide rails 32, thesaid rails and rollers acting to relieve the belt strain and to steadythe carrier-units in their movement of translation.

As shown in the drawings, a number of sheets of paper orcardboard 40 areheld in clamped carrying position, by their corners, although the sheetsmay be clamped at their edges as shown in dot-and-dash lines, Fig. 3.The weight and face friction of the sheets further the clamping actionof the gravity actuated dog 20. The sheets are thrust upwardly betweenthe face 12 of the projection 11. and the curved edge 23 of the dog,forcing the same upwardly against the face 12 and edge 23. hen thesheets are released, the surface friction of the same, combined with theaction of gravity, causes the dog to wedge and securely hold the pack insuspended position. The sheets are thus held securely in position to beconveyed to a distant station.

In practise the carrier unit has been found to be a distinct andvaluable improvement.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A unit carrier link, comprising a detachable link section, a housingdetachably secured to said link section, and gravityactuated clampingmeans carried by said housing.

2. A unit carrier link comprising a link section, adapted to form a partof an endless chain belt, a housing detachably secured to said linksection, and gravity-actuated clamping means carried by said housing.

3. A link of detachable link chain type, providing an integralattachment projection, a housing fastened to said projection, a clampingface upon said housing and a gravity-actuated eccentric clamping dogcooperable with said face to suspend sheet material therebetween.

4. A chain link of detachable type, a housing removably and dependinglysecured to said link and an eccentric swinging clamping dog attached tosaid housing, adapted to cooperate with said housing to suspend sheetsof material therefrom.

5. A chain link of detachable type, ahousing removably and depending'lysecured to said link, an eccentric swinging clamping dog attached tosaid housing, adapted to cooperate with said housing to suspend sheetsof material therefrom, and means for limiting the movement of said dogin both directions.

6. A chain link of detachable type, a housing removably and dependinglysecured to said link, an eccentric swinging clamping dog attached tosaid housing, adapted to cooperate with said housing to suspend sheetsof material therefrom, means for limiting the movement of said dog inboth directions, and cooperative track and roller means for steadyingsaid housing during translative movement.

7. A chain link having a yoke frame providing a stationary jaw, paperreceiving throat and bearing support for the swinging jaw, and aneccentric surfaced jaw pivotally mounted upon said frames withinprescribed swinging limits and cooperating with said stationary jaw forfrictionally clamping the sheets of paper therebetween.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name, as attested by the twosubscribing witnesses.

JAMES D.

Witnesses OSCAR FOURNIER, M. J. MORIARTY.

McCRACKEN.

